Difficult Creek Trail

This is a great backup campground if all of Maroon Bells campgrounds are full, which in all reality is highly likely. If you're looking to beat the crowds, this is a good number campground to consider. This campground is right off the highway, 5 miles away from the town of Aspen, easy to find, and is surrounded by Aspen groves and thick vegetation. The sites are decent in size and include a tab...

Just nine miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, Independence Pass, are grottos. A grotto is a geological term for a cave or cavern. The Grottos near Aspen were formed by rushing water of the Roaring Fork River. There is only an elevation gain of 300 feet on the three-quarters of a mile loop making it an ultra-family friendly hike. Take a picnic and fishing poles to enjoy even more time along the...

Weller Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Aspen, Colorado.

This shady trail of switchbacks ascends steadily (over a thousand feet in under a mile) to a rock outcropping at 9,185 feet. Yes, you can expect your heart to be pounding and to be huffing and puffing as you climb Ute Trail. But the view of Aspen that rewards you is spectacular.The trail is pretty rocky, so hiking shoes or trail running shoes are recommended. You can still do it in regular snea...

The Roaring Fork River has several little waterfalls the ends up in a deep swimming hole called The Devil's Punch Bowl. This is a must see if you are driving up to the Independence Pass. I have never seen such blue water before (outside of an amusement park). While Driving from Aspen on CO82 towards Independence Pass there is a small pull off that is not marked on the right side of the road at ...

McNamara hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware and utensils, some games/p...